Stream line traffic signal for vehicles



Nov. 19, 1935. J. N. FORD 2,021,447

STREAM LINE TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 18, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR, wsw jnro 62- W A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 19, 1935. J. N. FORD 2,021,447

STREAM LINE TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. L8, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 Mia? v I 22 32 (if 2 h INVEN TOR,

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES anz iz TSTREAM LINE TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES Jerry N. Ford, Monterey Park, Calif.

Application September 18, 1934, Serial No. 744,601

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a streamline traffic signal for vehicles.

An object of the invention is the construction of a simple and efficient signal adapted to project outwardly from a motor vehicle, whereby the operator of the vehicle on which the signal is mounted can indicate to the traflic the positive direction he is to take in turning.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a signal comprising a peculiarly formed bracket carrying a casing support and a casing, all constituting a necessary unit for performing the single function of signaling in traflic.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a signal unit, no one part of which is independent from the other, and which signal unit is peculiarly adapted to be attached to an inclined portion of the frame of the latest type automobile.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a signal constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical, central, longitudinal sectional view of my signal.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation, looking at the inside of the rear cover plate.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55, Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a rear elevated view of a portion of my signal.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the signal showing another embodiment of the brackets.

Figure 8 is a view in elevation of the supporting device for the switch.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the dotted lines I represent any suitable support for my signal, but preferably, the inclined frame of the modern type windshield. The signal device 50 2 is connected to switch 3 by cable 4. A wire 5 (Fig. 1) is connected to a source of electric current and the device is suitably grounded through wire 6. The switch 3 is mounted on a bar 1 that is secured by screw 8 to the windshield frame or 55 steering wheel as the operator desires. A sliding It on its inner edge, and the casing support is is secured by means of screws ii at the outer edge of the V-shape body it. By reason of this peculiarly constructed bracket l2, the signal device may be mounted on the modern inclined frame of a windshield, with the signal device in a perfect 5 vertical position, for efiicient signaling purposes. As shown in dotted lines bolts it) may be countersunk, or otherwise suitably mounted on bracket I2 and the windshield frame.

The casing support I3 is provided in its upper 20 face with a longitudinally extending groove l9 communicating with an inclined cable aperture 23, through which cable 4 extends. The casing support is preferably rectangular in shape for the efficient assembling as herein described. 5

The casing I4 comprises body 2| that is provided at its inner end with a horizontal extension 22. The casing body 2| is preferably provided with bulb compartment 23 and bulb compartment M. In the bottom of body 2| is a longitudinally 3 extending groove Mia which registers with groove iii of the casing support. These two grooves form a channel or compartment for the wires of cable 4, leading to the bulb sockets 25, positioned in body 2| and extending into the compartments 23 35 and 24, with bulbs mounted upon said sockets to illuminate the compartments. Preferably compartment 23 has in its rear a red glass and in its front a white glass, while compartment 24 has in its rear a green glass and in its front an amber 40 glass. Referring to Fig. 4, the rear cover plate 26 is made of suitable metallic material and is provided all around its edge with an inwardly extending flange Zl. Suitable clips 28 are fastened to the inner face of the cover plate for assisting 4.5 in holding the glasses in position. The front cover plate 29 is of similar construction, each plate having at its inner end an extension 3|] for fitting over the extension 22 of the body 2|. The flanges 21 of the cover plate overlap the body 2! as clearly seen in Figs. 3 and 5. Screws 3| are employed for fastening the cover plates upon the body 2|.

Two vertical screws 32 are countersunk in the outer end of casing support i3 (Fig. 2) and extend up into body 2!. Vertical screws 33 extend down through extension 22 and into the casing support l3, whereby the casing support and casing are efficiently secured together. When the two units of the signal (casing support l3 and Jody 2|) are thus secured together, the lower flanges of the two cover plates 26 will be clamped between support I3 and body 2|, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, whereby the cover plates are more securely held in position.

In Fig. 7, I have shown an ordinary type of a bracket 12a which can be used in mounting the signal device on an ordinary vertical post or vertical windshield frame.

The operating stem 34 of switch 3 controls the illumination of the bulb in compartment 23, so that when the operator desires to turn to the left all he has to do is to manipulate stem 34 and the traflic will be advised of the intentions of the operator. When the operator begins to turn to the right he manipulates stem 35 of the switch 3 which causes the lightin compartment 24 to be illuminated, indicating to the trafiic the intentions of the operator.

The bracket I2 is so peculiarly adapted to this signal that it is an essential unit of the device, and likewise is the casing support with its groove l9, constituting a necessary part of the channel for the wires, which wires also enter the casing body 2|, as hereinbefore described; that is, the wires of the cable 4 are connected to the sockets 25.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a signaling device, the combination of a casing support, said casing support provided 5 with a cable receiving aperture, said casing support provided in its upper edge or face with a longitudinally extending groove registering with said receiving aperture, a casing on said casing support, said casing provided with a longitudi- 10 nally extending groove registering with the groove of said casing support, and said grooves forming a longitudinally extending channel.

2. In a signaling device, the combination of a casing support, a casing on said casing support, 15 said casing provided at its inner end with an outwardly-extending extension, vertical screws countersunk in the outer end of said casing support and extending into said casing, and vertical screws extending through said outwardly-ex- 20 tending extension and down into said casing support.

3. In a signaling device, the combination of a casing comprising a body provided at its inner end with an outwardly-extending extension, cover plates provided with outwardly-extending extensions and with continuous inwardly-extending flanges all around their edges, said cover plate and flanges fitting over said casing-body and its extension, a casing support under said 3Q casing with the bottom flanges of said cover plates between the casing body and said casing support, screws extending down through the outwardly-extending extension into said casing support, and screws within the marginal edges of and connecting the outer ends of said casing body and said casing support.

JERRY N. FORD. 

